Lake Placid girls stunned by NAC

November 1, 2012

PLATTSBURGH - It wasn't the 13th, but it was an unlucky Friday for the state-ranked Blue Bombers girls, who found out the previous day that the semifinal they were supposed to be competing in on Saturday was moved up one day due to a bizarre twist in the Class C playoffs.

The Northern Adirondack squad that wound up defeating Lake Placid actually lost its play-in game by a 4-3 score to Seton Catholic, but later, it was determined that the Knights were competing with ineligible eighth-graders who were pulled up from their modified team, forcing the team to forfeit the match. So instead of facing Seton Catholic Saturday in the first of two girls semifinals, Lake Placid played NAC a day earlier.

Kourtnee Smith netted the only goal of the game, scoring 7:11 into the second half on a top-shelf shot that was assisted by Elle Warick.

Article Photos

Photo by Alicia BrandesLake Placid senior Liz Leff plays in the field after being pulled from her goalkeeper position during the final minute of play Friday, Oct. 26 against Northern Adirondack.

Lake Placid coach Heather Brewer, whose team only lost one match in Northern Soccer League Division II action this season, said her players turned in a solid effort but couldn't put the ball in the net.

"We defended well, we sustained offensive pressure, we just couldn't get that finishing play," Brewer said. "It's hard to have a good season and go out in the first round of the playoffs. Sometimes you don't win the one you have to. We knew this was going to be a tough game. We just had one defensive letdown and gave up a goal."

Lake Placid held a 12-8 edge in shots but couldn't put one past Bobcats' keeper Stephanie Snide, who made eight saves to earn the shutout. Liz Leff, one of five seniors playing for the final time in a Lake Placid uniform, recorded six saves in net for the Blue Bombers, who finished with a 12-4-1 record overall.

"Whether it was Friday or Saturday, we were excited to play," Leff said. "I thought we played a good game overall, but the shots did not fall for us today. This was a tough loss, but we did have a great regular season, and we're happy about that."

The Bobcats will face AuSable Valley for the championship. The third-seeded Patriots advanced after beating Ticonderoga 6-0 on Saturday, Oct. 27.